Hi there
On this page, you will find the things you will need to get started for the class on and where you will be able to find them. Obviously, you may not have all the tools described, so I have highlighted with an * those you really need.
I have added links (highlighted words) to the suppliers I have used in the past, like the hotplate or blowtorch, this will give you an idea of the price and what to look for,
Enjoy !
Tools & Equipment
- Small griddle with temperature control*
- Crème brulee blowtorch*
- Surface Thermometer*
- Natural bristle brushes 1″*
- Small metal tins and one large bread tin ( tuna tin can do work too for small metal tins)*
- metal pegs for sides of metal tins
- A variety of mark-making tools
- Needle tool/ stylus *
- Potter loop tool ( pear-shaped loop tool)*
- Wire brush
- Flat wax scrapper *
- Pottery tools set
- wood carving tools set ( especially the flat skewed angled wood carving tool *)
- Palette knives
- Fire extinguisher/ fire blanket*
- Fire proof surface to work on*
- Thick paper towels*
- Wax paper
- Apron*
- Disposable gloves
Materials
1lb Encaustic Medium (see choice of suppliers below)
6 Encaustic Paints, assorted colors (see choice of suppliers below).
For the course I will use a very monochromatic palette.
The colours on my palette are: Titanium white / Van dyke brown or raw umber / Celadon / Indigo / Manganese Blue/ neutral grey/ zinc white
( These are only a guideline, you can of course use the colours you have an affinity with or already have. )
Shellac*/ rustins French polish – Amber or clear (or both if you have)* optional
Oil paints. (Recommended color: dark colors: ex: black or burned amber for incising technique)
Titanium white dry pigment * optional
For those who wish to paint with me during the session, I would recommend to have a few 30×30* cm PRIMED* sturdy substrate with porous surface (*recommended size for beginners class, you may of course use bigger sizes) :
examples of supports you may use : wooden painting boards/ wood panels ( pebeo or Daveliou) /MDF panel or plywood / Ampersand Encausticbord . I personally ask my local DIY shop to cut a sheet of MDF into small squares.
I would recommend a minimum of 3 boards.
*For primer, you may use encaustic gesso or chalk paint.
Encaustic suppliers
Here is a link to a European R&F supplier for encaustic materials.
Sophie Van Moffaert, French encaustic artist also offers encaustic cakes & starter packs here.
I personally get my pigments sticks and pigments at Jackson in London which offer a great variety of colours and a selection of dry pigments at affordable prices. Jackson’s also delivers very fast, highly recommended for impatient artists like myself !
Recommended books
- Encaustic Mixed Media: Innovative Techniques and Surfaces for Working with Wax by Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch
- Encaustic Art: The Complete Guide to Creating Fine Art with Wax by Lissa Rankin
- Encaustic Painting Techniques: The Whole Ball of Wax by Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch
- The Encaustic Studio: A Wax Workshop in Mixed-Media Art by Daniella Woolf
- The Art of Encaustic Painting: Contemporary Expression in the Ancient Medium by Joanne Mattera
I hope this will help and do not hesitate to message me if you need more information!
Best wishes
Isabelle